Barbara A. Welch
Barbara A. Welch, age 91, of Indian Head Park and formerly of Mount Prospect, IL, passed peacefully at La Grange Hospital in La Grange, IL on Saturday, August 10, 2024. Beloved wife of the late James R. Welch; loving mother of Sally (James) O’Brien, Susan M. Welch, and James L. Welch; proud grandmother of Colin O’Brien and Brendan O’Brien; dear sister of the late Mary Ann (the late Kelly) Lamberton and the late Carol Dobbs; beloved aunt and friend to many.
Barbara was born in September of 1932 in Chicago, IL. She spent her early years in Clarendon Hills, later moving with her mother and sisters to Coronado, CA where she attended middle school and high school. Following her graduation from Coronado High, she returned to Chicago where she met her future husband while working at Minneapolis Honeywell. They married in 1954 and raised three children. In 1972 she began working at Kelly Temporary Services, eventually becoming Branch Manager. In her later years, she moved to Indian Head Park, IL to be closer to her son and daughter.
Barbara enjoyed knitting, quilting and had a great appreciation for any type of handwork. In recent years, she delighted in sitting on her patio, surrounded by the flowers that she loved so much, while listening to her transistor radio – particularly John Williams on WGN. But, most of all, she dearly loved her family.
She will be remembered for her wonderful sense of humor, her love of laughter and the ease with which she made friends everywhere she went. She will be deeply missed by many.
A visitation will take place from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, September 18 at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Barbara’s name may be made to YMCA Camp Woodstock, 42 Camp Rd., Woodstock Valley, CT 06282.
My sincerest sympathy to Sally, Susan and Jim. I became a friend of Barbara late in our senior years. For that reason, we had much to share, our mutual concerns about the changing world, our stories of surprisingly new aches and pains, and how and why trivia has become so important in our lives.
She sent me three light-weight green face cloths because they were much easier to handle, and in return, I sent her a 30day pill box which turned a weekly chore into a monthly pleasure.
Barbara consistently noticed the beauty in nature whether driving along the lovely sites in Fairfield or sitting on the deck overlooking the waves and cloud formations over Long Island Sound.
I will miss Barbara, our lengthy telephones conversations and her visits to Fairfield where we managed to continue our conversations non-stop as if we never said good bye.
Rest in Peace, dear Friend.
My deepest sympathy to Sally, Sue, and Jimmy in the loss of your very dear mother. Your mom and I were long time friends which started in our careers at Kelly Services. I learned so much from her as she was truly a gift to our customers and was so instrumental in my training. Everyone loved her great sense of humor, and she always kept me laughing and our customers greatly amused! She was so generous and very wise as well as a great help! I loved all the newsy articles she used to send me. She dearly loved all her family, and many of you, her family, enjoyed celebrating one of her birthdays on Jimmy’s fantastic boat which I will always remember. Your mother was truly a gift from God and will be greatly missed!
With love and fondest memories, Marilyn Kane